Fetal Cardiology

Boston Children's Hospital's Fetal Cardiology Program made history in 2001 with the first successful fetal cardiac intervention in the world. Since then, we have performed more than 140 fetal interventions and are still the innovation leaders. Our experienced and skilled clinical team has refined its techniques and process for superior outcomes even in the most complex cases.

The Boston Children's Fetal Cardiology Program welcomes anyone who has a confirmed or suspected prenatal cardiac diagnosis. From the moment a child's issue is detected, we develop the optimum care plan for each mother, child and family as a whole, including counseling and other supportive services.

We understand that facing a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of your unborn baby's heart condition can be very frightening. From the moment you step into our clinic to the day of delivery, we'll do everything we can to make sure that you and your baby receive the best possible care.

Conditions and Treatments

Our specialists treat the full spectrum of heart disorders and diseases, including:

Research and Innovation

In 1938, Boston Children's cardiac surgeon Robert Gross, MD, performed the world's first successful surgery to correct a child's heart defect. Since that time, our program's culture has been one of innovation - of solving difficult problems that others haven't been able to solve, tackling the most complex cases, and figuring out ways to make the process easier on patients. We are focused on developing new methods to repair rather than replace whenever possible, with minimally invasive approaches.

Boston Children's Hospital has made advances in prenatal diagnosis and ultrasound-guided surgical and catheterization techniques that have made fetal therapy possible. Our Fetal Cardiology research continues to focus on improving our understanding and treatment of heart defects and disorders that affect unborn infants and children after birth. Our scientists work together to quickly move new discoveries to the bedside so you have access to the most advanced care possible.

Contact Us

For questions, more information, or to schedule an appointment for your child, please call the International Heart Center anytime at +1-857-218-3913 or email heart@childrens.harvard.edu.

You may want to begin gathering relevant records such as the mother's medical history, medications, most recent fetal echocardiogram in DICOM-preferred format (and accompanying report in English), most recent cardiology summary, genetic testing and clinical status, as well as any other recent testing. Review of your records and images will allow us to help evaluate your baby’s heart before you come so we can better prepare you for the type of surgery, length of stay and how much the surgery may cost you.